TEMPE, Ariz. — Cami Mras scored a hat-trick against No. 19 San Diego State and added a goal against No. 10 Fresno State to finish with a team-high four goals for UC Santa Barbara Women's Water Polo on Saturday, while Lainey Weintre had two against the Bulldogs and a third against the Aztecs to play the other half of the Gauchos' duo of the day. Rookie goaltender Lydia Soderberg also got some minutes to be proud of in the nightcap, making seven saves and adding four steals against San Diego State.
 
UC SANTA BARBARA 9, No. 10 FRESNO STATE 26
The Bulldogs had already scored four goals when Mras opened the scoring for the Gauchos in the first game of the day, Santa Barbara's lone score of the first quarter. And, though Fresno State had 13 goals to their name by halftime, the second quarter was much improved from an offensive standpoint for the Gauchos. Molly Souza capitalized on a six-on-five opportunity, and Loretta Hovey tallied not too long after that. Hadley Hall put home a five-meter penalty, and Weintre scored her first goal of the day on another powerplay to bring Santa Barbara's total to five, each goal from a different scorer, at the interval.
 
Gigi Rimlinger put home a penalty shot of her own for the Gauchos' first goal of the second half, and Eliza Harlow tallied powerplay goal number three for the Blue and Gold in the third quarter as well, the period finishing with the score 19-7 in Fresno State's favor. In the fourth, Valaika recorded Santa Barbara's fourth six-on-five goal of the game, as the Gauchos were able to convert on half of their powerplay opportunities — four of eight, plus two penalty goals — on the day. Weintre finished Santa Barbara's scoring with her second of the game.
 
UC SANTA BARBARA 8, No. 19 SAN DIEGO STATE 18
The Gauchos got on the board first in their second game of the day, Mras again the first in Blue and Gold to score, though ultimately hers would be the Gauchos' only goal of the first quarter, while the Aztecs managed five. In the second quarter, Santa Barbara's defense stiffened and held San Diego State to just three goals, thanks in large part to Keira Wall's four saves. However, the offense was not able to capitalize, with Harlow's powerplay goal again being a lone tally for the Gauchos.
 
On its own, the third quarter was the closest period of any across Santa Barbara's two games on Saturday. After San Diego State won the sprint for possession, Soderberg (who had replaced Wall in goal midway through the second) stole the ball and sparked a counterattack, with Souza earning a penalty shot on the other end (albeit one the Gauchos failed to convert). More Soderberg steals and saves helped the Gauchos keep the Aztecs in check; the rookie goalie finished with three swipes and four stops in the third quarter alone. Weintre took advantage of yet another six-on-five opportunity to finally get the first goal after halftime, and while San Diego State answered less than a minute later, that was the Aztecs' only goal in the first seven minutes of the quarter. The goal-scoring exploded in the final 61 seconds of the frame, with Valaika's powerplay goal answered by two from open play from San Diego State and the score sat at 11-4 heading into the fourth.
 
And speaking of a scoring explosion, the teams combined for 11 goals in the final frame, with Mras (twice), Miranda Salinger and Hovey providing the scores for Santa Barbara. Salinger's goal, with six minutes left to play, was the first of her collegiate career.
 
UP NEXT
The Gauchos play two more challenging matches on Sunday to round out the ASU Invitational, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time, as they will face No. 20 Pacific. Santa Barbara then rounds out the weekend by facing their hosts, No. 6 Arizona State. Both matches will be streamed live on overnght.com, with live stats available at ucsbgauchos.com/WWPLiveStats.